Top 10: Airplane Meals

Traditionally, airline food has been in the domain of the bland. In the past, dining at 30,000 feet has been a matter of hacking your way through overcooked meats and dunking your mashed potatoes and overcooked vegetables in over-salted, glutinous sauces. That is, if they even serve you more than the dreaded peanuts.

Thankfully, this is no longer the case. More and more airlines understand that their first- and business-class passengers expect more from their airline meal — and the carriers are delivering in spades.

Read on for 10 of the best airplane meals for first-class passengers, chosen on the basis of their excellent presentation, the best and freshest ingredients and, of course, superior taste.

Number 10

Jet Airways

Though fairly new to the first-class service game — Jet Airways launched its first-class service in 2007 — India’s Jet Airways is already known as being among the best.

First-class passengers can chose from a number of authentic Indian dishes, such as chicken breast in cashew cream sauce with a trio of lentils, and fantastic chappati and naan breads.

Each dish is plated on hand-painted Bernardaud porcelain dinnerware and passengers are invited to build their own five-course meal and marry it with the best international wines and spirits, all served in Micassa crystal.

Number 9

Swissair

Swissair recently revamped its first-class menu and the change has been for the better.

The company hired Michelin-star chef Didier Schneiter to emphasize more Swiss-style dishes, including lamb filet mignon with autumn vegetables in a cremolata sauce, and the best Swiss cheeses and wines. The emphasis here is on beautifully presented, light, fresh, and healthy dishes.

Passengers can also choose from a seven-course menu, sample a few of the warm and cold dishes, or even order a quick meal in advance to leave more room for working or sleeping.

Number 8

Malaysia Airlines

Malaysia Airlines prides itself on delivering fully customized meals on fine Wedgewood china. Here, passengers can choose from Kosher, Halal, high-fiber, gluten-free, and vegetarian meals, which are all accompanied by the best international wines.

Some of the airline’s best offerings include lamb shank with Sarawak black pepper sauce, baked North Atlantic black cod and, of course, Malaysian satay. And they are all absolutely sublime.

Follow up your meal with the best quality beverages: South African Rooibos tea, designer water from Ty Nant, or even Blue Mountain coffee for an experience not to be forgotten.

Number 7

Lufthansa

Customization is also the hallmark of Lufthansa’s first-class meal service. Here, guests can choose the nationality of their menu — Chinese, Japanese and Indian are all favorites — as well as the time at which they eat.

Lufthansa’s meal service is all planned by some of the world’s best chefs who update the menu every two months.

Number 6

Qatar Airways

You’ll find some of the best first-class meals on Qatar Airways, whose menu underwent a serious overhaul in the past 18 months.

Passengers can now choose a 10-course meal that normally includes caviar, lobster, prawns, Arabic mezzas, fine chocolates, and cheese platters, all served with the best New and Old World wines.

One of the main-course highlights is the pan-fried chicken stuffed with feta and tomatoes, washed down with a freshly brewed cappuccino.

Forget peanuts, these top 10 airplane meals are miles above the competition...